SRC-JEC C.S.S.B. 954 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 954 77R10803 JMC-DBy: Barrientos Intergovernmental Relations 4/11/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, in addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, a statutory county court has concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in civil cases in which the matter in controversy exceeds $500 but does not exceed $100,000. C.S.S.B. 954 raises the concurrent jurisdictional cap for statutory county courts to $250,000. It also provides for a 12-member jury upon written request by either party in cases in which the matter in controversy is more than $100,000. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 25.2292, Government Code, by adding Subsections (a) and (d), as follows: (a) Provides that, in addition to the jurisdiction provided by Section 25.0003 and other law, a county court at law in Travis County has concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in civil cases in which the matter in controversy exceeds $500 but does not exceed $250,000 excluding interest, statutory or punitive damages and penalties, and attorneys fees and costs, as alleged on the face of the petition. (d) Provides that the jury in civil cases consists of six members, unless the amount in controversy exceeds $100,000 and a party to the case requests a 12-member jury in writing before a certain deadline. SECTION 2. Makes application of Section 25.2292(d), as added by this Act, prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2001. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES Differs from the original by capping the concurrent jurisdiction of the statutory county courts at $250,000, rather than giving them concurrent jurisdiction regardless of the amount in controversy. It also more specifically sets out the circumstances in which a jury is composed of 12 members instead of six.